GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

Motivational Interviewing is a non-judgmental, non-confrontational, client-centered method for eliciting behavioral change by facilitating the exploration of and resolution of ambivalence and the discovery and use of intrinsic motivation. Developed in part by clinical psychologists William R. Miller, Ph.D. and Stephen Rollnick, Ph.D, Motivational Interviewing was first used with those with substance abuse and addiction issues. It is now used for a wide variety of issues. Motivational interviewing incorporates four basic therapeutic skills: the use of open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summative statements to the client. These techniques help to identify behaviors that are inconsistent with personal values and goals. Accepting the client's actual readiness to change and encouraging the client to weigh the pros and cons of change, enhance the therapeutic alliance and enable the client to make more productive choices that are consistent with stated goals.

The first five articles provide not only an introduction to the concept and process of Motivational Interviewing, but also review its foundation and development over time. Research is presented to identify how it is used as a general counseling style, as well as in use with very specific issues. The second section is comprised of two videos that demonstrate the value of Motivational Interviewing in a healthcare setting (and the potential for empathic failure when it is not used!). Finally, resources, references and updates in the field are made available in the last document.

Disclaimer: This course is purely educational and does not intend to serve as a license (or permission) to mental health professionals to prescribe or practice any of the approaches discussed in this course unless they fall within the scope of practice of your profession. Check with your licensing board about the scope of practice of your profession to make sure you practice within that scope.

Educational Objectives

This course will teach the participant to

Identify the basic principles of Motivational Interviewing.

Summarize the techniques utilized in Motivational Interviewing.

Review populations with whom Motivational Interviewing has been used successfully.